YO! This isn't exactly what you call an early update. But, hey! I didn't dissapear for months like last time didn't I? Haha. Okay... moving on.
I was supposed to update on Wednesday since I have no classes then. And actually, I'm not suppose to be near my computer right now since I have an exam tomorrow. At least I read a bit but still. You guys are lucky I updated two days earlier. Haha. Didn't mean to be rude to the readers.
THANKS A LOT to the ones who reviewed, followed, favorited this story and me.
Anyway, since it's Percy's birthday today, I wanted to update. So here is a new chapter and of course, Percy's PoV
Happy Birthday to my idol, Percy Jackson! and HAPPY READING to my readers!
DISCLAIMER: If I owned PJO, I would've made Percy's birthday the same date as mine which is by the way on September. So, I DON"T OWN IT.
Percy doesn't really know what it actually felt like if he died. He dreamt to have a family. To at least, have a peaceful life without these wars that he kept being the center of. He actually thought that he would die due to being old or maybe die a heroic death but that ought to be painful. He also thought that he'll die happily with nothing to worry about. With his friends and family by his side. That didn't go exactly as planned.
Being hit by the lightning bolt wasn't exactly an easy way to go. Imagine yourself being burned alive, with Greek fire and is being paralysed. Then, multiply it by fifty. It felt like your soul was ripped off your body while it is being electricuted and burned to the ground. Gods, does it hurt.
But, nothing could have equaled the pain he felt when he saw the campers against him. The one he had considered his family voted for his death. For a person with a flaw of loyalty, it's the most painful torture you could ever give him. To see your family, doing this to you. Saying that you are a threat like he hasn't done anything. Voting for him to be killed as if a monster who has been a trouble to the people. To be treated as such, It has already overpowered the pain that Zeus had given him with his Master Bolt.
Right now, Percy feels that his soul is carefully floating towards the Underworld. He kept his eyes closed because he feels that he'll be feeling the pain all over again but he tried to open them to see where's he going.
He's already nearing DOA Records as he can almost see the sign saying ''. In his whole life, Percy have visited the Underworld more times than a living person is allowed to. It was either quest related or just because he wanted to visit his cousin. Along the way, he grew close to his uncle Hades. He still gets disturbed by all the other things in the Underworld but at least he isn't an enemy of the Underworld's king.
He went inside to find a soul clawing against Charon's arm. Percy could vaguely hear the soul beggung for it to return to the living. There was no point to it. Once you're dead, you're dead. There's no returning back.
How wrong can Percy be.
"Charon," Percy called out.
He looks like the same Charon he was when he first took a visit to the Underworld. It was his first quest. The retrieval of the Master Bolt. Thinking about the quest sent a tinge of pain through his bare, see-through chest. He could remember the time his best friends stood together for that quest. Just him, Annabeth and Grover. How he miss those good ole' days. Even though they often die a lot, he was with his friends.
He shook his head, took a deep breath and of course, nothing has happen. He's dead and the betrayal was still fresh. Fighting the urge to cry and wail, he directed his attention to Charon who is wearing a fine Italian suit . It was too classy, especially for a person who works for the dead.
"Ah, Mister Jackson." Charon smiled, which was entirely weird for Percy. "Are you sure you're dead now?"
Funny, yes. It was a running joke between the two of them. Even though, they barely see each other. But, Percy coudn't feel himself smiling. It barely felt like he could feel at all.
"Yeah, I'm dead." He said. His tone was flat and had no life at all. Though, Charon doesn't seem to notice. "Can I go into the Underworld now?"
Gods, was that weird. Never would he thought that he'd ask to go into the Underworld . There are times that Percy doesn't really like going to the Underworld, even though his cousin and uncle is there. Don't get him wrong, he loves his cousin and actually gets along with his Uncle Hades but it just wasn't his domain. It was out of his turf. It was a different territory. A territory that he usually gets almost killed on.
"Of course. Lord Hades gave you permission to enter his kingdom." Charon said to him, waving towards the elevator.
Percy looked around the office and noticed it packed. It has always been full with dead souls but it seems like more people had died. Percy looked toward Charon and asked, "Hey, can we bring them with us?"
Charon looked back to the packs of people behind Percy with a distasteful look and said, "They don't have their payment."
Percy frowned at his answer. He couldn't leave these souls to wait for more decades for them to go in. Instead of giving up he tried to convince him, "Come on, I don't have any money here but I can talk to my uncle to give you a raise."
Charon raised an eyebrow, "Really now?
"Really." He assured him. Of course, it's not like he could really convince his uncle. He really just isn't fond of Charon and his Italian suits.
The ferryman was definitely thinking hard. As if, it was a life-threatening situation. Then he begrudgingly said, "Fine. But do make sure you keep your end of the deal, Mister Jackson."
He waved his ghost hand, "Sure, no problem."
"ALRIGHT, FREE RIDE DOWN TO THE UNDERWORLD. IF YOU WANT TO GET IN YOU HAVE BETTER SURE TO GET IN THIS RIDE!" Charon shouted. If Percy wasn't dead then and there, Charon's shout would have probably damaged both of his eardrums.
Instantly, souls started streaming towards the elevator. Percy would have wondered how they'll all fur in there but never the less, Percy thanked Charon for considering.
"Thanks, Charon." Percy said. Though, he still didn't smile, it was a small sign of gratitude even after all that has happened.
He got into the elevator and was followed by Charon. Minutes later, the elevator turned into a boat streaming on the River Styx.
The river reminded Percy of what has tied him into the world. It was Annabeth. Not only that, it all showed him who it was who were important to him. His father, his best friend, his mother, his cousins. They were all the one who were so close to Percy's heart. But, the one that stood above all was his mortal point.
Annabeth is the one that held him in the world of the living. She is the one that has kept him alive. She was his mortal point, invulnerable or not. She was his other half, the one that has almost controlled every movement of his. He breathes with her, lives with her, fights with her.
Now, will it still be the same? Will she still be his mortal point after everything that has happened? If he still has the Achilles' curse, will the betrayal wash it away? Maybe. Percy isn't exactly sure. But, he knew he lost a part of him. Not just his other half of his heart. It was his whole body, soul and mind.
Had he done something wrong to deserve this? He sure wishes not. He had done everything in his power to keep his family and friends together and safe. That was why he would gladly give away any form of riches, wishes and his whole life for them to live on with their own lives. So that they maintain the family they are.
They reached the end of the river and the boat came to a stop. Immediately, the mortal souls got off the boat and fell in line at the EZ Death line. Percy was the only one that hasn't gone off the boat.
He faced Charon and offered a ghost of a smile, "Thanks, Charon."
Charon still has a flash of irritation on his face but nodded and spoke, "Of course, Percy Jackson. But I do expect a raise."
Percy got off the boat as Charon started rowing back to the living, "This will be our last meeting Percy Jackson. Farewell."
Last meeting, indeed. He's dead. It's not like he'll need permission to enter the Underworld again. He followed the line for the dead and waited patiently for his turn. He's rather surprise that the mortal souls were not freaking out with Cerberus as the guard dog. The dog was rather...intimidating.
Finally, he reached the gates and in front of him was Cerberus. He gave the three-headed dog a light pat on his middle snout and said, "Sorry, boy. I got no red balls for you today."
The dog seem to pout and gave out a whimper. He patted his snout and said, "Sorry. Can I go in?"
The dog got his three tongues out of his mouth and wagged his huge tail. Percy could only assume that it meant yes. He patted the dog one last time and went towards the judging area.
Percy now stood in front of the three judges. He could see Minos scowling at him. He wanted to glare at the demon ghost but decided against it and stood straight for the two judges. The three judges made no move of comforting the dead and instead stared at him so hard Percy could feel himself melt.
"The hero of Olympus?" Thomas Jefferson mused.
Percy felt himself giving a very intelligent answer to the past president of America. Something like, "Uh..."
William Shakespeares tapped his chin and gazed at the young, and dare he says, dead demigod and said, "A man of a few words, it seems. Though that doesn't seem to stop you from talking back to the gods."
Percy doesn't really know if he should blush at the statement and be embarassed. Or should he be proud of what he had done. Bitterness had found itself in him and mixed with the betrayal. He found himself angry but crushed by what the gods had done to him.
"Yes," Minos hissed. "He did, indeed, disrespected the gods. He should be punished for that."
Percy had the sinking feeling that it would be a bit hard for him to go straightly to Elysium. In actuality, Percy never realised if he was going for rebirth or not. It's not like he'll be waiting for someone. At least, not anymore. If Annabeth really had loved him, will she be expecting him to wait for her?
Percy felt an ache where his heart used to be. Shut up! He wanted to shout at himself, to the judges, to everybody. Why can't anybody see that it hurts anymore? When can everybody just stop it giving him pain? Why does everything have to be so damn hard?
His ghost knees felt like jelly and his brain is flying to who knows where. But, he tried directing his attention to the judges in front of him. He noticed Shakespeares giving Minos a pointed glare.
"We will give him a fair judgement Minos." He said to him. "You shall put your grudge behind and give him the proper judgement."
Minos gave another very hateful glare at him and gave a stiff nod. Percy doesn't really know if he should be grateful. He really didn't want to accept the thought of being dead. It just felt so sudden, Percy isn't really sure if this was a dream. A really, really bad dream that Percy will want to knock himself awake.
The three judges looked at Percy again. This time, an image appear before them. It showed the time when he still didn't know he was a demigod. He was with his mom at the Montauk Beach. They were just there, smiling and having fun. He gave a sad smile. Then his eyes widen with regret. His mother doesn't know he's dead. She'll be broken if she knew about this. How will she know? Will Nico tell her? Thalia? His father?
What will he say? Hi, my love. We had just voted your son to be killed. Percy could vaguely envision Poseidon saying that to his mother. Oh, and I'm part of those who voted to kill him. Believe it or not, his mother is a very rebellious person too. She just doesn't show it much. If she ever discovered of her son's death, what will happen? It's not like she'll charge the Olympians, will she? Percy hopes not.
Percy hopes that no one tells his mother that he's dead. In all his life, now is the time that his mother should be happy. The wars are over and there is no more threat. He doesn't want his mother to worry anymore about him. He wants her to be happy. He knows that she doesn't need to know about his death. It will only cause her pain, and Percy caused enough pain for his mother.
The scene change to where he figured out he was a demigod. It fast forward to every quest he went to. From the lightning bolt to Alaska. It also showed how he led the wars of Manhattan and Greece. Glimpses of his friends were also shown. Most of it were Annabeth.
Percy wanted to bang his head and throw a rock or something to stop the scenes that were shown. All those things that he had done, he just did it for his family. Now, he's dead and his family is to blame for his murder. He wanted to shout at his brain. He wants to squeeze every memory he has then. Why does it have to turn out this way? One more reminder of Annabeth and Percy is sure he'll explode.
Can ghost cry? Is Percy allowed to cry in front of the judges? Because if it's allowed, Percy isn't going to hold back. It has just been hours since he died. But, he hadn't break down just yet. And, his body just wanted to just curl up into a ball and wail. Wail out so loud that every one can hear him.
Percy could feel himself shaking. He shook his head and bowed it. He could feel the gazes of the judges at him. If ghosts could take a deep breath, then he did exactly that. He focused back to the judges who was indeed staring at him. The scene changed.
And, it was the same scene that he had just experienced a few hours ago. Percy was sure he can't hold the tears anymore. He avoided to watch the scene being played but it runned into his mind almost automatically. Vaguely, he could hear the voices of the gods and his friends at the background. He doesn't want to hear or see that thing, damn it! Why do they need to show this to him? What's the point? To fill him with more pain? Betrayal? Anger? What?
The video being showed stopped. Then, it dissapeared in thin air. Percy looked up towards the judges. Their faces held nothing but pity. Pity for such a painful death of such a great hero. Their gazes held no comfort but pity, and Percy hated it.
"A painful death, if I may say." Jefferson said to him.
"I get it." Percy snapped. "If you think that it's painful, how do you think I feel?"
If they felt offended by him talking back to them, they didn't show. They knew about his pain and they decided to stop talking about the matter. Percy could appreciate that about them. At least, they were sensitive enough.
Shakespeares gives a sigh and said, "This boy deserves Elysium, that I am sure of."
Jefferson gave a nod and said, "Yes, I agree. Minos, I assume you also agree?"
Minos face seems to be halfed with a look of triumph and pity. Who could possibly have thought that Minos will actually be pitiful to Percy Jackson? If he could make Minos feel pitiful to himself then Percy was sure that his situation a while ago was certainly bad.
He could feel a cold bitter laugh bubbling inside of him. Great, hilarious. He was indeed so pitiful. Betrayed by his family, how harsh can that be? How pitiful can that be?
Minos, again, gave a stiff nod. He said, "Elysium."
The judges gestured towards the gate beside their huge, grand table. On top of the gate, a sign was hanging and it wrote, 'Exit here and follow what your jugdement'
He went out but was stopped when he heard Minos calling his name. He looked back to him and was certainly surprised to see such a serious expression to Minos' face.
"The Lethe is open to everybody, young boy." He said to Percy. "If you want, you can."
After that, he went back to judging another soul with the two judges. Percy went towards the exit with his mind swirling. The exit led him to the huge Fields of Asphodel. Souls crowded the whole field, even though the field was huge. He kept himself going towards Elysium. It was at the far end. It also gave a chance for Percy to think for a bit.
The River Lethe, a river in the Underworld that could wash away all your memories with just one single drop. Percy almost lost his memory there during a quest with Thalia and Nico. It was scary back then. He didn't really want to loose his memory. Right now though, he was tempted to loose it all. Just to get rid of the pain. Just to stop all of this.
He stopped at the middle of Asphodel double-guessing himself. By the gods! Why is he thinking about this twice? He doesn't need any pained memories and he is given a chance to wash it away in an instant. Why would he hesitant? But, he knew for a fact that not everything was a bad memory.
Could he risk losing the memory of his cousins? The times they have shared, like how they truly looked like a true family. The fun pranks and joys they have done with each other, would he dare loose it all? Would he wash his own memory of his mother? Could he really risk not remembering the motherly smile she had always given him to make him feel safe? He can't. He knows that he can't since it helps guide him and keep himself brave. Will it be worth it to loose the memory of Grover, who is his best friend since the day he had discovered he was a demigod? Could he?
Then again, the memories of his friends in Camp Half-Blood have been crushed when they raise their hand. The smiles, hug and guidance that his father had given him were crushed by his father's uncertainty of him. The kisses and love that he had shared with the love of his life taken in a swift movement when Annabeth had risen her hand to vote for his death. It was all because of the memory that had happen a while ago. It had took and overcome every happy moments he had shared with his family and friends.
The pros and cons had all gathered up into Percy's head. It almost overloaded his head, making himself quite dizzy. He kept judging himself of this big decision. Weighing which is more heavier than which. The next thing he knew, he was at the edge of the River Lethe.
Scrambling a little farther, he eyed the river warily. One drop and all is gone. He groaned, this is foolish. Maybe he should just stand up and go to Elysium. Pain arched through Percy, remembering the scene at the throne room. A scream was already trying to form inside Percy. He stepped forward to the direction of the river.
Percy could feel his sarcastic side rolling his eyes at him. He was getting too dramatic over this. It was either to jump in or not, how hard of a choice is that?
Percy wanted to yell at himself. Now, he could understand why Thalia electicutes him when he says something sarcastic or smart-aleck-ish. His rebellious side is somehow quite annoying. Percy gave out a sigh. He was arguing with himself. Had death made him mad? All the more reason to jump into the river.
All he had to do was jump. Jump. Jump! For crying out loud! Percy hissed at himself, "Jump, damn it!"
Percy felt a tingle down his spine. This usually happens when something bad is to happen. It was his danger instincts. It always comes into play in battles. It was like a full-on package with the ADHD. Percy looked around. Nothing will attack. He's dead. No monster is that angry at him to kill him twice, is there?
Percy wished he had Riptide. Unfortunately, the dead aren't really allowed to keep sharp, pointy weapons. Nor can they hold them. Unless you're all bones and stuff.
There goes that tingle again and Percy backed up towards the Lethe. He isn't even sure if he could use his powers. A hiss was heard towards his right ear and Percy instantly moves towards the direction of the sound. He has his hands up front and ready for a fight.
"Whoever you are," Percy called out. "You can't do any much damage. I'm dead you see."
He spread his arms apart but his eyes kept scanning the area. Then, all of a sudden, some magical thing happen. He was grabbed tightly on his arm and something hot, burning was held against his chest. He cried out, but was surprised that no sound came out.
Gods, does it hurt! It hurt even more than Zeus' lightning bolt. His insides or whatever it was inside a ghost is melting and he could almost feel the hand of the person go through him. He wanted to say stop but he couldn't move. He can't even breath.
He was losing sight. Then everything is turning black. Stop, please...
He could vaguely hear the person laugh at him. It was a deep, dark laugh. "Farewell, Percy Jackson. This will be your final death. A new age will start, led by our most fearsome lord and lady. Though I don't think you can hear me anymore..."
Haha... Haha... haha... hah...
And light engulfed him.
Breakfast wasn't exactly as sweet as strawberries and cream at Camp-Half Blood. A night has gone over after the meeting on Olympus. Nobody talked about what happened. Nobody really DID talk. They all kept their talking to a minimum. The result was an awfully quiet camp. Emphasis on awfully quiet.
Leo wasn't exactly used to this kind of things. He talks a lot. He makes a lot of funny jokes (which to some people say that it wasn't really funny). He isn't a quiety type kind of man. He was born to cause noise, joy and laughter. That was how Team Leo works. Though he couldn't blame the camp from being quiet. What happened yesterday was all to surprising. It was also so painful to the six.
The six (Percy was dead) suddenly became disbanded. Jason, Piper and Annabeth avoided Leo, Frank and Hazel just as they did to them. Leo was angry. That was for sure. When they gone back to camp, Leo's hand kept bursting into flames. Everybody got wary of him and avoided his hot, red flames.
It took almost Leo's willpower not to shoot a fireball to Jason's head. His bestfriend was being a big of a fool. Leo thought he was the foolishly handsome fool not Jason. He's not stupid or evil enough to vote an innocent person to be killed. By his own father, no less. Same can also be said to Piper. The Beauty Queen was anything but bad. She also has a huge sense of justice. Leo didn't find that justice in Piper yesterday. He could feel Piper's dissapointment to Percy. Maybe that was the reason why she voted against Percy.
The one that Leo could not believe at all was the way Annabeth had acted. She was so cold, unnerving and unfeeling. Not like the Annabeth he had seen on the Argo II making all lovey-dovey to Percy Jackson. So, yeah, his first impression of Annabeth is scary, cold and unnerving. But, he got to know her and she wasn't supposed to be like that to Percy.
Seeing those three act like that, it was so freaking annoying that he knew he'll burst into flames. Last night, Leo did nothing but do some mechanical building at Bunker 9. It was only to distract himself from any anger that will flood over him. Finally, exhaustion came over him and he fell asleep then and there.
He was grateful that, at least, some were siding with Percy. They didn't replace the real hero and leader they once had. Leo had always looked upon Percy. The guy was totally awesome and badass in so many things, he adored him. Percy was indeed a role model to almost everyone. The guy was also hilarious and could keep up with his own jokes.
The meeting had caused Leo a huge grief. He just lost a friend. He was a good friend that you could also rely on almost everything. He was a confidant. He could understand the pain that Leo had when he had lost his mother. Somehow, Percy could relate to him and he manage to lift Leo's spirits a bit.
Leo didn't understand what was wrong with Percy. He had done everything in his power to help the Olympians. In the end, he died at the hands of Zeus. Curse the King of the Gods for his foolishness... Leo would have said more but he was not in the mood. It was kind off true considering he still hadn't cracked a joke once in the dining pavillion. Nor did the Stoll twins, and they were impossible to stop joking.
All in all, it was a dreary start for Leo's day. His blood broiled in anger and his ears are bleeding with such utter silence. He could even hear his heart thumping, loud and clear. Vaguely, he could feel someone poking him. He turned to see his half-sister Nyssa poking him with the tip of her spoon.
"Your hands..." She carefully said. "They're burning again."
And indeed they were. They were so hot that Leo's spoon and fork are starting to melt. He could feel the eyes of every single person in the pavillion staring at him. He turned off the flame and stood up, facing everyone.
He waved the melting spoon on his hand to everybody and offered a fake grin that he almost cringed at, "Sorry, everybody. False alarm and all that. You know me, thoughts are running and...got me all excited and such. So, yeah, keep eating guys. The food's great and uh...eat your breakfast."
Now, he was just rambling. Gods! The Leo Valdez, rambling? It was the apocalypse for him. He didn't even throw in a corny joke. A miracle! Leo was surely out of it. A part of the spoon melted off and fell on his skin. Though, it doesn't really hurt. Considering the fact that he can emit fire.
Breakfast went by quiet and fast. For Leo, it was that time of the day for him to sulk around in Bunker 9. He didn't want to involve himself to those who agree to the gods' justice. It was brutal and wrong. He didn't want to influence himself to those bastards that had killed Percy without any mercy.
Actually, Leo is considering on stepping down from his position as the Hephaestus/Vulcan camp counselor. Up until now, Leo knows that he's doing a good job. He hasn't cause the cabin to explode with one of his crazy experiments so he can conclude that he's doing fine. But, with his friends falling apart, he doesn't know if he could still handle a huge responsibility such as this. Finally, after years of suffering with the memory of his mother burning in that small workshop, he has finally healed with the help of his friends. Though, they had to go to war, Leo was sure that they had his back whenever he'll fall. But now, everything Leo thought that would remain with him were slowly drifting apart. A friend of him died, his two bestfriends were for sure angry at him. The group was split into two and the camp is all dreary.
Leo longed for his kind to have a rest from all these wars. He was tired. He's sure that his fellow campers are to. But, in the end everything resulted to fall down. Because of the gods, the camp's morale has gone down, and everyone had split into two sides. Not just the camp but also the Olympians. If it will ever worsen, a war will break out in Olympus and demigods will be force to take sides. It was the worst-case scenario that may possibly happen. His mind was able to come up with such a thing such as that and he wasn't exactly happy of having that thought.
He was now in front of the Hephaestus cabin. He didn't even notice anything while he was walking, he was so deep in thought he barely recognize his own surroundings. He made a grab for the doorknob but immediately pulled back for his hands are on fire again. He groaned as he extinguished the fire.
I've been lighting up a lot more lately, Leo thought. Though, in his defence, he has every right to be. He entered the Hephaestus cabin only to be greeted by a daughter of Aphrodite.
His eyes and hands lit up. Piper was standing in front of him with wary kaleidoscope eyes. Normally, she would tease him as soon as they lay eyes on each other. Like Piper, Leo does the same with her. She was his best friend along with Jason, they were a team. Having fun and battling all kinds of monsters Dirt Face sends to kill. Those were the good times. Even though they tend to be killed tons of times. Now, Leo doesn't know what to say to her. He hated her presence right now. He'd rather be alone than talk to a…traitor.
Right, traitor… To Leo, Piper was a traitor. She turned against a good friend because of a single accident his boyfriend got into. Leo didn't exactly hated Piper. No, of course not. He hated what Piper did. Her injustice to a person who is innocent. He hated that Piper didn't do what Leo knows what was right.
"What are you doing here?" Leo said, quietly. He just wants to be alone. Away from this mess.
"I wanted to talk to you." Piper responded avoiding Leo's eyes. "I asked permission to Nyssa to let me enter your cabin."
"You didn't bother asking the one in charge of this cabin." Leo asked. There was an edge in his voice and Piper seems to notice.
"I didn't really think that you'd let me." Piper said.
"The same way you didn't let Percy defend himself in front of the council? The same way you guys voted for his death without hearing him out? Tell me, Piper, is it?" Leo said through gritted teeth.
Piper seems to be taken aback. Leo could understand that very well. He wasn't the type to get angry so easily. He barely got mad at anything. It seems it was surprising to see him like this. Piper looked at him like some sort of stranger. He was different from the Leo they spent time with.
"Leo…" Piper bit her lip. "I'm sorry. Look, I know that Percy isn't the one to blame."
"Percy isn't supposed to be blamed. He did nothing wrong." Leo spatted.
"You didn't see Jason at the infirmary after their duel, Leo." Piper defended. "He was so hurt. If Percy didn't…"
"If it wasn't Jason who had gotten hurt, you would have defended Percy too. Yoou were just so unfair." His voice is starting to go higher. Vaguely, he could feel his hands starting to heat up.
"Don't say that I'm unfair! Jason was hurt-" Piper said, but Leo cut her off.
"Did you even bother to check that Percy was also hurt?" Leo shot back at her. "Jason isn't the only person in this world, Piper! There are other people too. Apart from Jason, that's hurt."
"But-" Piper tried to give an answer but Leo was on a roll.
"No, no buts, Piper." Leo looked at her straight in the eye. "You were Percy's friend at the same time you are Jason's girlfriend. Jason may rank higher than Percy but that isn't enough reason for you to vote against him. That's the reason, I can call you unfair. I don't hate you, Piper. I can never hate you but I hated what you did. What all of you guys did against Perce. It was injustice, unfair and harsh. He didn't deserve that. I know you Piper. You're smarter than me to know that Percy did nothing wrong."
Piper stared at him. It was a long, awkward yet foreign stare. He never thought that Piper, the one that could never get lost for words, just stare at him with an open mouth. He realise he was glaring at her and his hands are yet again on fire. He quickly let the flame disappeared and broke his glare on Piper.
"Get out, Piper. If there's anything that I don't want to do is that to hurt you. So, go before I even put a hand on you." Leo stared at the ground.
He heard footsteps nearing him. He was in front of the cabin door so Leo stepped aside. His face is still lowered and his stare is still directed on the floor. He noticed Piper crossed him and one sentence got stuck inside his brain.
"I'm sorry."
From a depressing dream, to a depressing wake-up call to a depressing breakfast and finally to a depressing training. Thalia wasn't exactly a happy huntress. Every part of her body was numb and she wasn't in the best of moods. The nightmare she had last night stills haunts her to this hour. It was near noon and lunch was about to start. And, for once, Thalia would rather sit in a corner than to eat with all her might.
She noticed Artemis still eyeing her from a far. Several huntresses are also staring at her with concern. She definitely scared them now. The Thalia they saw this morning wasn't the same Lieutenant they see often. She was scared at that time. She wasn't the confident person many consider her to be. The stories of the Thalia Grace did not match her state this morning. It was foreign to a lot of people's eyes.
She didn't particularly care. She didn't care what people think of her now. She just lost one her brothers and her dreams are getting worse by each passing night. She'd shut herself from this world if she can, but that's the thing, she can't. Every night, she'll sleep and a nightmare will again occur. She knows for sure that this will be a repeating process. Dreaming of the bad things that can happen and waking up in the morning wrapped in her blankets dripping with cold sweat. She does not want that. The thought only made her more depressed.
She continued with her training. She pulled back the string of the bow and concentrated on the target in front of her. She just have to distract herself with training and nothing else. She just have to live her normal huntress life as always. Forget about anything else. She doesn't have to bother with anything else.
She let go of the arrow and it whizzed towards the target. It landed far away from the red bulls-eye. She gritted her teeth. Her concentration is so not with her. Her hands are sweaty and the cold she felt earlier is still dancing on her skin. She tightened her fist on her bow that it turned white. She grabbed another arrow from her quiver and got into position.
"Shoot right, damn it." Thalia muttered.
She eyed the red bulls-eye and let go of the arrow. It landed on the red circle next to the bulls-eye. She groaned again and glared at the target in front of her. She slung the bow at her back and it disappeared. She headed towards the dummies and brought out her two hunting knives.
She slashed through the dummies with all her might, bringing all her pain and anger out. She released everything that had happened recently into this training. The loss of a brother, her scary dreams, the betrayals she had seen, along with all the things she has done in the past, she took it all out in those dummies.
Slash, hack, stab… Thalia trained relentlessly and ruthlessly. She didn't even care for the hunters who are surrounding her. She focused all to these lifeless dummies. The way Thalia fought, it was brutal, you'll feel sorry for those dummies. Finally, she threw one of her knives towards the dummies head. It landed straight in the center.
That was the finale. Thalia was still in throwing position. She was breathing heavily and she was sweating all over. She stood straight and went towards one of the dummies to retrieve her knife. She noticed that the hunters had formed a circle around her. The younger ones stared at her with adoring yet wary eyes. She also noticed that Artemis was also within the group and was also staring. Pride filled her eyes but also concern. Their eyes meet and Thalia understood her mistress' silent question.
Are you alright? Thalia is sure as Hades that she's not. She was also sure that she does not need to answer her mistress' question for now. So, she broke eye contact as she pulled the knife out of the dummy's head. She heard Artemis clapped her hands and all eyes focused on her.
"That's enough training. Noon is nearing. We must prepare lunch." Artemis said. "Those who are in charge of food, please start now. The rest replenish yourselves."
Some of the hunters head towards the food tent to prepare lunch. The others went to their tent to rest themselves. Thalia didn't exactly know what to do with her free time but she found herself taking a walk in the woods. She wandered off aimlessly but made sure to still be near the hunters' range. She didn't have anything in mind except for the memories she had these few days. She tried erasing it from her mind but she just can't. She can distract herself for a while but it just comes back. She wants to claw it out of her brain.
For a few minutes her legs took her from one tree to one river to one bush to another. She was definitely out of it today she barely acknowledges anything. There are times that she'll be giving out a huge sigh or slump towards the bark of a tree. She was so pathetic right now. She was also so depressed.
She gave another sigh. She looked up to see what time it is. She should go back. She doesn't need to worry the others more than they are now.
It was just so frustrating. When will it ever stop? Her immortal life is again being filled with pain and suffering. It was almost the same when she was still a mortal. Except now, more and more people are dying. She was losing more people close to her and she can't do anything about it. She hated being helpless. She hated not being able to do anything. She felt she is to blame. Even though, she knows she's not.
She got back to the hunters' camp just in time. The smell of meat flooded towards her nose. It was a pleasant smell that would make Thalia race towards the dining table. But, of course, she isn't really the same Thalia as of now. She walked to the dining table as everyone started to sit. They were all eyeing the food with great interest and hunger.
Finally, Artemis reached her sit and said, "Go on, hunters. You trained well. Let us eat."
A bunch of 'Thank you, Milady' were heard before everyone made a grab for their forks. In a blink of an eye, hands crowded in the middle of the table to get what part of the deer they want first. Normally, Thalia would join those crowd of hands yet today she waited peacefully for them to stop. She could feel the intent gaze of her patron by the side of her face but she just ignored it.
Lunch was still full of fun for the hunters. They gave out some jokes and some fun stories for the young once. Thalia only gave a sad smile. If only she can join the fun without any worries. If just…
Somehow, Lizz made a fool of herself and the whole table burst with laughter. The older ones were even turning red for laughing so hard but the laughter stopped when the mist swirled in the middle of the table and showed an Iris message.
"Thalia?" she heard it say her name. She recognised the voice and it was her cousin's, Nico's voice that she heard. She looked up as the message began to form and show his face.
She frowned at the sight she saw. His hair is as messy as ever. He looked exhausted and tired. He's paler than he usually is and his eyes are brimmed with red. He looked like he spent the rest of his night out of bed and crying.
"What do you think you're doing, boy?" Phoebe spatted.
"Wait," Thalia said. She faced Artemis for permission and she nodded. "What happened to you, Nico?"
He bit his lip. His eyes are starting to get watery and he blinked rapidly. He shook his head and opened his mouth, "Thalia, I-"
He's stuttering to explain to her that Thalia doesn't understand a word from his sentence. "Nico, calm down. What do you want to tell me?"
She was standing in front of the dining table and she could feel every pair of eyes staring at the two cousins. Nico struggled to say the words he wanted to say to her. Finally, he stopped shaking and said, "Percy… his soul was taken."
The taste of the meat left only the taste of metal. She could only stare at the image of Nico in front of her. The words that he said seemed to echo in her mind. The whole table was so silent that it only amplified Nico's words.
Even the hunters, who doesn't even want to see boys, just stared at Nico their mouths agape. Artemis eyes also widened with the news that was given by the son of Hades and she seems to not have an answer to give to the boy.
"No! That's not possible." Thalia wanted to say but she couldn't. How could she? Percy, who had just died, was now supposed to be in the Underworld, in Elysium or maybe in the Isles of Blest, to go for rebirth but now, Nico is saying that his soul was taken.
Artemis was the first one to speak, "What do you mean, son of Hades?"
Nico wasn't even shaken by the fact that a man-hating goddess was questioning him. Instead, he answered truthfully, "I- My father said that he was stolen. After the meeting, yesterday, he felt a soul being taken from the Underworld. We don't know how… it just…"
He trailed off. Thalia closed her fist and pounded it against the table. Some of the food on the plate fell off but it went unnoticed by the daughter of Zeus, "That can't be." She shouted.
"Who took him?" Thalia asked, furiously.
"I don't know." Nico said, his head down. "We search the whole Underworld for any signs and we only got one clue."
"What is it?" she asked.
"The one who took him is powerful." Nico said grimly. "I don't know if that's supposed to be good or bad but he or she may be powerful. He got past Charon, Cerberus and Thanatos. They may be at the living world now."
"We can find him." Thalia immediately said.
If Percy is in the living world right now, there is a chance for the hunters to find him. If she could find him, he can have her cousin back. He's supposed to be alive now. Maybe, she could get his brother back.
"Thalia, like I said the one who took him is powerful. To take up all the Underworld's defences in just a few hours that Percy's soul was in here… it's dangerous." Nico said then proceeded to bite his lip.
"We can find him, Nico." Thalia said. "If someone did took him, we should search for the one who did. Percy's life is again on the line here, Nico. If he's with someone that powerful, I'd hate to think what will happen if Percy was alone with him or her."
The dream where Percy was tortured flashed in her mind again. The fragile look in his face gave Thalia the shivers. It was the sight she'd never want to see again. She shook her head and face Nico with a determined look on her face.
He probably saw how determined she is and gave in. He nodded and said, "I'll try and search for him to. I'm sorry, Thalia. My father and I could have done something."
She shook her head, "It's fine. We'll fine him. I'll Iris message you if we did."
Nico only nodded back as he slashed through the Iris message. Then, Thalia's weight gave in. She seated on the bench that was below her and bowed her head. The confidence she had when she spoke with Nico were driven away. She wanted to cry again.
"Thalia…" she heard her patron's soft voice.
"We have to find him, milady." Thalia said, hoarsely. Her throat was dry and she doesn't have any saliva left to swallow. "We have to."
"We will, I promise." She said to her.
"Thank you."
We'll find you, Percy. I promise.
SO, that was it. It was actually longer than I expected but meh...
Now, if you guys could kindly review your opinions, suggestions or violent reactions. That would be great.
I want to put a special question for you guys so here it is: WHAT WOULD YOU GUYS GIVE PERCY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY?
Answer in the review box down below and I'd see you guys on the next update, probably Wednesday for the Son of Chaos.
Wish me luck on my exams tomorrow and on Tuesday!
PJSavior, signing out.
